YDS Background

In early 2007 members of the Foundation Council identified a gap in the development pathway for young fencers aged 14-18.
At that time, fencers who completed the Allstar UK sponsored Scottish Fencing Youth Series competitions at 14 had two choices:

1 - Start entering adult open competitions in Scotland, or
2 - Travel to England and Wales to compete in the various youth competitions held there.

As a result (due to the challenge of stepping up to adult tournaments and the cost of following the wider UK series) it was identified that fencers often left the sport around the age of 14.
To counter this the Foundation decided to try to organise a new family of events in Scotland, and were delighted when Scottish Fencing agreed to endorse and Allstar UK kindly agreed to sponsor them.
It was hoped from the outset that these competitions would achieve the following aims:

• To provide an opportunity to fence in the same competitive series from 8-18 years of age in Scotland - creating a competitive fencing development pathway.
• Maximise competitions in Scotland, thereby reducing the need for fencers and parents to travel huge distances to England once fencers are over 13 years old.
• Provide a flexible format which could adapt to deliver maximum opportunity for competitive fencing in a controlled environment in preparation for adult events.

The first year of operation (4 events) was very successful - thanks to the kind support of our sponsors, the schools and bodies who provided our venues and our volunteer referees and helpers.

After reviewing year one - and to dovetail in with a Scottish Fencing plan to provide training to u14 Fencers via the new TNG programme - the Foundation agreed to incorporate the Allstar UK Youth Series (for u10 to u14 fencers) into the YDS events.

This will allow:

• Reduction in the total number of Youth Series and Youth Development Series competitions from 8 to 5weekends, freeing up weekends for potential training events in Scotland.
• A single large event optimising the entry costs for the competitions, again to maximise participation, and minimise the costs to families.
• The events can maintain the ethos of maximising the amount of fencing, with fencing for places retained within the direct elimination for U14 to U18 age groups, whilst introducing younger fencers to a large competition venue at a controlled competitive pace.
• As the events will be run by the charity, any surpluses from the competitions will be fed back into fencing in Scotland. This may take the form of specific equipment awards to clubs - this happened with the Youth Development Series in 2007 - or the funding of further organised training and development activities. 
  

A lot has been done already - but there is a lot more still to do and there are loads of opportunities to help out - if you are willing to lend a hand (NO experience is necessary - none of the council members are themselves fencers!) - let us know.

The Foundation For Scottish Fencing is a recognised Scottish Charity, established in 2004, whose aim is to promote and support the availability of fencing in Scotland to young people, irrespective of background, gender or ability.